Dixons and Freeserve deny split

Still talking

Dixons has held secret talks with AOL and BT in a move that could signal the end of its close relationship with its former ISP, Freeserve.

According to the Sunday Telegraph, Dixons has told Freeserve's French owner, Wanadoo, that it is pulling the plug on a joint venture that promotes Freeserve in Dixons' stores.

If true, then that relationship would end next February and pave the way for another ISP - or ISPs - to claim a prime slot in Dixons, PC World, The Link etc.

Dixons and Freeserve have denied that they are parting company claiming that while the contract is up for review, negotiations are still ongoing. Both insisted that no decision on the outcome of those negotiations had been made as yet.

However, there are whispers that Freeserve has already been booted into touch and will be pulled from Dixons stores at the beginning of next year.

If Dixons and Freeserve did end their relations - as expected - then it wouldn't be the first time the couple have split.

Earlier this year, Freeserve signed-up a Hartlepool-based company to provide support for its broadband customers after ending a contract with Dixons. Dixons still provides Freeserve punters with narrowband support.

Oh, and on the matter of those "secret talks", BT and AOL both declined to comment. ®